Occasio

No "them," there's only "us"

It was easy to lead worship this past weekend. Our congregation is working carefully through the book of Acts and Pastor James was preaching on chapter 15. In this text there are some Jewish believers who think that all of the Gentile believers must be circumcised to be part of the new movement called the church. It's a messy and confusing time of uncertainty and ambiguity. Christianity is in its infancy and the law of Moses is the only thing the Jewish Christians know. Should this be imposed upon the Gentile converts?

The elders gather in Jerusalem and listen at length to the counsel of Peter, Paul, Barnabas and others. In the end, the elders decide that circumcision should not be a requirement; it should not divide the two groups. They send a brief letter to the church in Antioch with the following instructions: "You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality."

It's odd that all kinds of things we would like to see in that list are not there: go to church, read your bible, pray every day, memorize the ten commandments, don't drink alcohol, don't watch R-rated movies, don't pierce or tattoo your body, don't... don't... don't.... The prescriptions the elders do make all relate to temple worship of non-Christian deities - they are already contextualizing the gospel. The greatest danger to the young believers would apparently be to syncretize their new faith with the gods of a pagan culture.

I wonder what requirements we impose on new believers in the name of biblicism? Are we sure we're not just justifying our "law of Moses?"

Again, it was easy to lead worship. The dominant message of the Acts 15 text is that of unity. Gentiles and Jews are brought together under the cross and through the creative power of the resurrection. A key moment in the text comes with verse 9. Peter declares to the council, "God made no distinction between us and them." This is a new humanity! (Eph 2:14-15) The result is not that all individual distinctiveness is removed, but that joy is found in what is held in common. God has replaced that which divides us with unity in the cross and resurrection of Jesus. As we prepared for communion we prayed, "There's no 'them,' only 'us'."

Of course I had this video in mind. It's a beautiful rendition of "One" complete with orchestration. Check for a couple of things as you view this U2 performance: watch the crowd at this opening ceremony for the 2003 Special Olympics, and "no 'them,' there's only 'us'."

Economic Stimulus Rebates: final thoughts

At the risk of having beat this one to death, here's some final thoughts on the economic stimulus payment.

• After reading the comments and talking to many people over the last few weeks, I have been encouraged by the number of folks who have processed the issue of what to do with the rebate. I've been excited by the amount of mental energy that many have put into this discussion.
• As a practice, I do not open my finances and giving habits to public scrutiny, but I felt it was essential on this issue. Tracy and I are giving the money away, but the point of the conversation was not to guilt others into doing the same. Each family/person should decide how to use the money after thoughtful and prayerful reflection.
• Giving the rebate away is only one anti-story to the consumerist narrative we find ourselves in. Others are focused on social justice issues. Some are working on environmental responses. Still others are seeking lives of moderation. I have heard so many wonderful and creative ways of responding.
• While many of us have been having a helpful conversation on the issue, I am very disheartened by the lack of discussion on a public level. There has been little, if any, critical dialog; it's virtually nonexistent in the news and media outlets.
• Saddest of all, very few people are considering using the rebate in charitable ways. I acknowledge that many need the money because of uncertain or difficult economic situations, but why isn't this at least an option? I have only been able to find one (of many) surveys that even asks whether people will use their rebate on charitable causes. And that survey reveals that only 3% of respondents are considering the donation option:

Finally, some words of humor regarding the economic stimulus payment from Dave Barry. (source)

This is a very exciting new program that I will explain using the Q and A format:

Q. What is an Economic Stimulus Payment?

A. It is money that the federal government will send to taxpayers.

Q. Where will the government get this money?

A. From taxpayers.

Q. So the government is giving me back my own money?

A. Only a smidgen.

Q. What is the purpose of this payment?

A. The plan is that you will use the money to purchase a high-definition TV set, thus stimulating the economy.

Q. But isn't that stimulating the economy of China?

A. Shut up.

Daddy's Gonna Pay For Your Crashed Car: one more look at the economic stimulus plan (or, the hermeneutic of a U2 song)

“Daddy’s Gonna Pay for Your Crashed Car” is a quirky U2 song from the Zooropa album (1993). It’s always struck me as a commentary on greed and excess, but the recent economic stimulus plan has really helped me see it in a specific context. As with many U2 songs, this one has taken on a new life and a fresh interpretation due to a particular situation.

Millions of Americans received their stimulus rebates today, over a hundred million more will receive them in the coming weeks.  The story that is being lived out is almost surreal: here’s some money, go out and spend it so that the American economy will be healthy. Not a very hopeful story. Nor is “Daddy’s Gonna Pay.” Check out my previous posts if you’re interested in some theological problems with the government's “big give.”

You're a precious stone, You're out on your own
You know everyone in the world, But you feel alone
Daddy won't let you weep, Daddy won't let you ache
Daddy gives you as much as you can take

A-ha sha-la, a-ha sha-la, Daddy's gonna pay for your crashed car

The economic stimulus plan was designed by Washington to infuse the economy with $168 billion dollars of buying power. The message: be a good American and spend, spend, spend. The government says the answer to our economic anxieties, high gas and food prices, and deflated home values is a little extra cash. “Daddy” will watch out for us, take care of us, reassure us. No room for weeping or aching here. Contentment and moderation have no place in this story. Three thousand advertisements a day work to reinforce the notion that pain is bad and that happiness can be bought. Get as much as you can take.

A little uptight, You're a baby's fist
Butterfly kisses up and down your wrist
When you see daddy coming, You're licking your lip
Nails bitten down to the quick

A-ha sha-la, a-ha sha-la, Daddy's gonna pay for your crashed car

Remember that experiment with Pavlov and his dogs? He learned that dogs salivate even before they receive food; this is a conditional reflex associated with the mere presentation of food.  The stimulus in our situation is money, the response is the irresistible need to buy something. In fact, that is exactly the response Washington wants. The economy is a junkie searching for a fix. Gratification comes in the short term, but the health of the organism is certainly in jeopardy. So we wait for our checks, salivary glands working over time, licking our lips.

You've got a head full of traffic, You're a siren's song
You cry for mama, But daddy's right along
He gives you the keys to a flamin' car
Daddy's with you wherever you are
Daddy's a comfort. Daddy's your best friend
Daddy'll hold your hand right up to the end

A-ha sha-la, a-ha sha-la, Daddy's gonna pay for your crashed car

Isn’t it nice to know that our government, both Republicans and Democrats (there’s no difference on this issue), is with us? The political spin on the stimulus package is strong. Congressional representatives feel our pain; our president has only our best interests in mind. I never had so many best friends! It’s good to know that no matter how stupid or self-indulgent or materialistic or in debt I am, “Daddy’s” gonna pay for my metaphorical crashed car.

Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday's alright...

In one of Jesus’ parables he tells the story of a very self-righteous self-confident man who found great success and had acquired vast wealth.  The man said to himself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry." (Luke 12:19, NIV). There is a kind of arrogance in this man’s perspective. He believes he is immune to the troubles that plague those without money and resources. He is a self-made man. It’s the same kind of arrogance that prods, “Just be a good citizen and spend your rebate check at Sears or Best Buy, and everything will be alright.”

If you want to experience, and not just listen to, the song, you must watch it on the Zoo TV tour from Sydney. Bono plays Mr. MacPhisto, that decrepit persona of a has-been rock star who bears a striking resemblance to Mephistopheles. It’s not a coincidence that pyrotechnic canons shower the crowd with paper play money just when the boys sing “Sunday, Monday..., Saturday's alright.” Hmm, a shimmering devil offering monetary rewards to a blindly addicted populace only concerned with their own addictive materialistic cravings…. Sounds vaguely familiar. See MacPhisto sing “Daddy’s Gonna Pay For Your Crashed Car” here. See MacPhisto’s speech following the song here.

People of the former Soviet Union
I've given you capitalism
So now you can all dream of being
As wealthy and glamorous as me
                                    -MacPhisto

 

Economic Stimulus Update

The engine is revving up to full throttle. MSN Money is reporting that the economic stimulus rebates are going to be sent out earlier than planned. This is certainly a response to the perceived crisis in the economy. All direct-deposit rebates should be sent by May 2. Paper checks will be mailed according to the recipient's Social Security number.

MSN calls this "good news" in a time when consumer confidence has reached a 26-year low and gas prices continue to rise (they just hit $4 per gallon in Fresno). Yesterday President Bush said,

The money is going to help Americans offset the high prices we're seeing at the gas pump, the grocery store and also give our economy a boost to help us pull out of this economic slowdown.

MSN reports,

Whether you plan to save it -- a good idea given the economic downturn -- invest it, spend it to cover rising food and fuel costs, or take advantage of retailers' special rebate offers, consider it a gift from Uncle Sam.

A gift? The answer to an economic slowdown? What will you do with your rebate? I have had a number of people tell me they are also looking for ways to opt out of the consumption narrative - a story that so engrosses us we can't even recognize ourselves as the lead characters. I continue to ask, "Why isn't sharing an option for most Americans?" Read my previous posts if you're looking for a theological perspective on the issue.

Get ready for warp speed, factor nine. Engage.

More on the Economic Stimulus Rebate

Jay MacDonald, a writer for Bankrate.com, has made some interesting if not skeptical comments about the economic stimulus payment that is coming our way in May (see my original post for some theological objections to this rebate).

Excerpts from MacDonald's article:

Irony runs rampant through the tax-rebate debate. After all, this is the Internal Revenue Service giving us money back -- not exactly the agency's strong suit.

In addition, the government is saying times are so dire that we should go out and spend -- not exactly our first instinct in such circumstances.

Finally, someone is stating the obvious. Does it make longterm sense to go out and spend more money, incur more debt, and pursue greed when rice is being rationed at Costco and Sam's Club?

To encourage spending, Epley [an economist from Univ. of Chicago] suggests the government partner with businesses to build incentives for people to put their rebate to work.

For example, the government and businesses could schedule a national shopping day or weekend. This could be planned to coincide with a major holiday or state tax-free weekends.

I agree. The government wants us to spend and consume. It seems like they could have done a better job than direct-depositing the payment right into my checking account. Sears has the "right" idea: they are adding 10% to your rebate check when you bring your stimulus check to one of their stores. Still, virtually no one is talking about opting out of the consumerist framework and giving it away to those in need.

Bob Sullivan, author of "Gotcha Capitalism" and iconoclastic voice of MSNBC's The Red Tape Chronicles, says it may be votes -- not stock prices -- that the government hopes to stimulate. He finds the timing of Rebate '08 more than coincidental.

"It's very transparent to me what's happening here," he says. "Both Republicans and Democrats got together to say, 'Well, the one thing we want to do is make people feel a little bit better about us in the middle of the election cycle.' There isn't a lot of good data to back up what kind of boost this can give to the economy, and unless I'm missing something, there is nothing in the tax rebates that addresses any of the fundamental problems that brought us here or can get us out.

"Is it anything more than a bunch of elected officials getting together and quickly sending us money to buy us off? I really don't think it's any more complicated than that."

"Both Republicans and Democrats...." As I have said, there is no difference between the parties on this issue. Capital Hill is unified. Isn't there another way? Not when an economy needs every-increasing consumption to keeps its engine running.

Finally, here's a screen shot of a survey that Bankrate.com is running. Do you notice an option that's missing?

Consuming Culture

Rene Padilla is a Latin American theologian. I like him because he is an evangelical who has been shaped by Liberation Theology (Gutierrez, Segundo, etc.). He grew up in Ecuador and Columbia and knows first-hand how unjust governments can use religion to oppress people. He did graduate work at Wheaton College and completed a PhD in New Testament under F.F. Bruce. What a strange combination of influences! After doctoral studies he lived in Peru and currently resides in Argentina where he works with the poor.

Padilla has committed his life to understanding the relationship between evangelism and social responsibility. He regularly advocates for Christians to become more active in social justice issues. He says, “Poverty is powerlessness. It is about people being unable to meet their basic human needs. Most often this is due to a lack of opportunity in a society marked by oppression and injustice which has led to disempowerment. The poor and the non-poor are created in the image of God. They are designed to grow into mature human beings able to meet their own socioeconomic, personal, social, cultural and spiritual needs. Poverty is powerlessness to fulfill that God-given role.” (source)

View the clip below for a helpful perspective on the pervasive culture of consumption in which we live. See my last post for a discussion about the "economic stimulus payment that we will receive this May, a rebate of sorts that is given by our government in hopes that we will be good little consumers. Is Padilla correct in his analysis?

The .wmv file is 3 mb, just press play and wait for it to load

The Economic Stimulus Payment: how will you spend yours?

I will receive $1,800 this May. The IRS will pay me $1,200 because I’m married and $600 for my children. The money comes with no strings. And therein lies my quandary—how will I use my economic stimulus payment?

Through the Economic Stimulus Act, Washington wants 130 million recipients to spend $168 billion in an attempt to bolster the economy. The prescription is consumption.

The message is striking. The American economic engine requires an ever-increasing rate of consumption to remain functional. Good Americans are good consumers because when they stop consuming, the system fails. Like a junkie in search of a fix, the economy needs an injection of cash.

Is consumption really a viable answer? I find two problems with this approach: one practical, one theological.

This is the intro for an article I wrote for FPU's Scholars Speak feature. I raised the issue at faculty prayers the other day and was surprised by the vigorous amd engaging reactions I got. The dilemma is this: as Christians we claim that material possessions should be low priority and that our "treasure is in heaven," but our government is telling us that spending and consuming is the answer to a weak economy. This raises all sorts of questions: Should good Americans be good consumers? Can an economy continue to grow and can Americans continue to consume in greater quantities at an endless pace? Is there also a place for saving and sharing our money? Is it un-American not to spend the stimulus rebate? Are there any theological implications? What should Christians do with the stimulus checks that will be sent out in May?

In my recent research I have been shocked to discover that no one is raising these questions. I suspect that there are people who are interested in the theological ramifications of the stimulus package, I simply can't find a public place of discourse on the issue.

I offer the following suggestion in the spirit of being transparent, certainly not to be haughty.... Tracy and I are giving our rebate away. We'll split it between an urban ministry in Fresno, a transitional home for homeless families in Pasadena and a HIV/AIDS clinic in Jos, Nigeria.

What will you do with yours? Would you consider giving a portion to a ministry or charity? Would you leave a comment and let other readers know about your issues, dilemmas, concerns, and suggestions? I know money is a private matter, but maybe on the advent of May's stimulus rebate it should be a public discussion.

Here's the full article to spur other thoughts and conversations.

A Day for Kites

I took the off from work early on Wednesday. It was 70 degrees with a slight breeze in the air. All I needed was a couple of little boys, a trip to Longs for some kites and the neighborhood park. Mission accomplished.

 

MLK, Africa, U2 and a nine year old

Tonight I put on U2's Vertigo concert filmed in Chicago in 2005. My boys, Michael (9) and Daniel (5), love to dance to this concert video and nearly collapse from exhaustion by the fifth song. Eventually Tracy trotted off with Daniel to bed and Michael and I curled up in the recliner to watch a bit more.

We have a pretty routine conversation that repeats itself again and again. It goes something like this: I say, "This is my favorite song," and Michael says, "Dad, you say that about every song."

But because today is the 40th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. I especially wanted to watch/hear "Pride (In the Name of Love)." It's a song that's dedicated to MLK and also includes strong illusions to the sacrifice of Christ. If you have watched this concert video you know that Bono begins talking about King and then segues to "Where the Streets Have No Name" by alluding to King's "I have a dream" speech. In the background the video curtains descend with beautiful flowing images of flags. He's watched this before, but this time the flags caught Michael's attention and launched us into a fairly lengthy conversation about Africa. Here's an abridged version.

Dad, why are all of those flags coming down?

Those are the flags of different countries in Africa.

Why do they want to show African flags?

Because Bono wants us to remember that the people in Africa are poor and many are sick. They don't have most of the things we have. A lot of people don't have enough money to buy food to eat or medicine to get well. (You try explaining senseless poverty caused by international debt, HIV/AIDS, malaria and foreign trade restrictions to a nine year old!)

Well, can't they just go to work or get jobs at McDonald's or something so they can buy food?

Many of the countries are so poor there aren't enough jobs for everyone, and there really aren't a lot of McDonald's in Africa.

Dad, since I'm learning to build things do you think I could go there and help them build some stuff?

That's a great idea. Maybe you can help them build wells so they can get clean water, or new farms so they can grow better crops. Maybe we can go there together and help them someday.

If we go there do you think I could take a bunch of things that I don't use any more. Like maybe when I'm eleven or twelve I could take the toys that I played with when I was nine. I'd like to share what I have with them. (Pause) Do they live in tents or something like that?

A lot of people live in shacks that are very small.

Well, do you think we could take some hammers and some nails and some wood and build some nice houses for them?

I think that's a wonderful idea. You are such a kind little boy....

"Streets" ends at about this point in our conversation and I say something like, "It's so hard to turn off a U2 concert," and Michael responds with "I know, I know, because every song is your favorite...." Soon we're climbing up into his bunk for story time.

Dad, do you think we should read a story about generosity since that's what we were just talking about?

Yup, sounds like a great idea.

So we read the one about the selfish giant who chases all of the children out of his beautiful garden. Without the presence of the happy children the garden loses its enchantment and quickly begins to die and then freeze over. The giant quickly realizes that when he shares his garden, both the garden and his own cold heart start to thaw. Kind of cheesy for a college professor; pretty engaging for a nine year old.

Michael, what do you want to pray for tonight? (A minute or two of silence passes.)

Dad, remember what we were just talking about while the U2 concert was on? I want to pray for Africa. Dear God, help the people in Africa to have food and to feel better and to live happy lives. Amen.

Dad, if we're going to go to Africa we should probably learn the language.

That's a very good idea but that would mean going for a long time.

Then we better take a whole refrigerator full of food!

I have so much to learn from this nine year old boy before he turns ten. "Let the little children come...."

Above: Pride (In the Name of Love)

Above: Where the Streets Have No Name

Urban Los Angeles Immersion

I spent the past weekend leading students from Fresno Pacific University on an urban Los Angeles immersion. We took a significant amount of time to process a couple of biblical texts (Luke 4, Amos 8); learn about systemic injustice, sweatshops, immigration, etc.; visit ministries and agencies in downtown L.A.; walk on skid row; and talk with the homeless. Here are a few snapshots of the weekend.

Dinner at a Peruvian restaurant, complete with Inca Kola.

Learning about and praying for L.A.City Hall.

Los Angeles City Hall.

Downtown Los Angeles.

9th Street Elementary School - children who attend here are all on meal assistance and walk daily through gang territory to attend school. Many are classified as homeless since they live in the skid row hotels. Notice the lack of grass, the high fence and the signs in multiple languages prohibiting intruders, drugs and alcohol, and weapons. Here's an article from the L.A. Times about what a student faces on a daily basis as he tries to attend high school.

Filming is quite common in inner-city L.A. These trees were brought in and the street was swept clean for a Subaru commercial. In other areas of downtown we watched the filming of a movie staring Jamie Fox and Robert Downey Jr. The movie is about the life of Nathaniel Ayers, a Juilliard-trained cellist who now lives in poverty on the streets of L.A.(read here for a 12-part L.A. Times feature on Ayers) Ironically, we watched as the police kept movie sets free of local homeless people while actors who played homeless people lined up for a shoot at a mock soup kitchen. Caitlin made an insightful comment as we were walking down the street, "I'm starting to wonder what is really real in this town."

 

Another irony. The tattered and weather-beaten mural reads, "When kids read, anything's possible." There's not much hope on skid row.

Our new friend, Donny, a homeless man who helped us understand what life on the streets is like as we had breakfast. Here's a moving five-part video series discussing life on skid row (also includes footage from Central City Community Church, see below).

Debriefing at Pershing Square.

Cleaning at Central City Community Church, the only church on skid row. This congregation is comprised almost entirely of homeless people. They received a grant to install a youth room and kitchen. One of the most creative church programs I have ever encountered happens at this church. Every Wednesday night 200-300 homeless people come to the church for Karaoke. It's the happiest and strangest crowd I've ever been with. It reminds me of Jesus partying with the "sinners and tax collectors" at Levi's house.

Painting at Central City Community Church.

Sunday afternoon at Olympic Convalescent Home. It's the elderly and the children who are the most neglected. They are the widows, orphans and aliens the prophets warned Israel to care for.

Painting nails at Olympic.

A group photo at the Center for Student Missions.

The gang with Tim Peters at the Door of Hope (read a previous post on Door here). This is a Christian transitional home for homeless families. Up to eight families live at this 106-year old facility. We heard story after story of families who have made it off the streets and into stable living situations. It was a wonderful and hopeful way to end our trip.

Easter Videos

On Palm Sunday we used "Sunday's Comin' " in our worship service. It's an artistic representation of the crucifixion. It calls for deep reflection on the suffering of Christ and the hopeless state of his disciples. The narration by an African-American pastor brings not only a powerful cadence, but also a sense of pain, betrayal and suffering as only a descendant of slavery could. So appropriate for this Good Friday.

On Easter we are showing "Resurrection," a beautiful and artistic piece of spoken and visual word by poet Amena Brown. The word art that accompanies her voice-over reminds us of the hope, joy and life of the resurrection. It's a perfect companion for baptisms on Easter Sunday!

"Sunday's Comin' " is available through http://www.ignitermedia.com/. "Resurrection" is available through http://www.bluefishtv.com/.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

After searching high and low, I finally found some good music tonight. Pipe on the Hob is a local group that plays traditional Irish and Celtic music. They feature fiddle, dulcimer, whistles, Celtic harp and a keyboard, with occasional vocals. I found them at the Sequoia Brewing Co. and it was standing room only.

Check out a clip from the evening (and watch for a lively man with a ponytail and hat who's already had a bit too much of the Guinness).

Pipe on the Hob

Ancient Spiritual Practices for a 21st Century Church

Imagine this scene. Teens silently form a line in a hallway, patiently waiting late into the night to enter a room in which they will experience an ancient spiritual discipline: contemplative prayer. When they emerge from the prayer room an hour later, many have tears in their eyes, smiles on their faces and peace in their hearts. They have just walked a prayer labyrinth, an interactive eleven-station experience in which the participants learn to practice the presence of Christ.  Scenes like this are happening again and again in churches, camps and conferences all over North America.

So begins an article I recently wrote for the Christian Leader, the monthly publication of the U.S. Conference of the Mennonite Brethren Church. If you are interested in reading more about how ancient spiritual practices are being used in contemporary churches, you can find the article here. If you would like some resources for this topic, click here.

I also published a condensed version of this paper though Fresno Pacific University's Scholars Speak feature.